Electrode holder



April 11, 1944. T, s DQNNELLY, JR 2,346,363

' ELECTRODE HOLDER Filed Jan. 26, 1942 PatentedApr. 11, 1944 ELECTRODE nomaa Thomas 8. Donnelly, In, Detroit, Mich, assignor to Bordon Mfg. (70., Inc., Detroit, Micln, a corporation of Michigan Application January 26, 1e42, Serial No. 428,242 a Claim. (cum-a) My invention relates to a new and useful improvement in an electrode holder adapted for use in arc welding operations. One type of electrode holder used embodies a pair of resilient jaw-forming, plate-like bodies which are secured at their butt ends and adapted for springing apart at their forward ends for receiving therebetween an electrode or rod which is to be clamped therebetween. Various mechanisms have been resorted to for springing the jaws apart at their forward ends and the present invention relates particularly to the spreading mechanism which is used for springing the jaws apart and the construction of the jaws at the mounting of the spreading mechanism.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an electrode holder having an upper and lower jaw and provided with a spreading mechanism' or lever which extends downwardly through an opening in the upper jaw and thence is projected upwardly through a forwardly positioned opening in the upper jaw.

Another object of the invention is the provision'of a construction wherein a spreading lever is projecteddownwardlyfthrough an opening in the upper jaw and thence upwardly through a forwardly positioned opening and provided with a member engaging the lever and overlying the forwardly positioned opening so as to resist rocking movement of the lever in one direction.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a spreading mechanism embodying a lever having a portion projected'to a position between the jaws through an opening in the upper jaw and connected at its forward end to the upper jaw.

Another object of the invention is the provision of an electrode holder having a shank connectable to an electric conductor and detachably connected at its forward end to a jaw carrying member and provided with a handle enveloping the same, the handle being provided with a metal'liner. I

Another object of the invention is the provision in an electrode holder of an insulating handle provided with a non-shrinking liner adapted for embracing the shank of the jawcarrying portion of the holder.

Another object of, the invention is the provision in an electrode holder of a shank-forming portion having an enveloping handle provided with a non-shrinking liner and securing means projected through the handle and liner for securing the shank in the handle and in such a manner that the securing means does not contact the liner.

Other objects will appear hereinafter.

It is recognized that various modifications and changes may be made in the detail of structure illustrated without departing from the invention itself and it is intended that such variations and modifications shall be embraced within the scope.

of the claims forming a part hereof.

Forming a part of this specification is a drawing in which,

Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of the invention with parts broken away, parts shown in section and parts removed.

Fig. 2 is a view similar to Fig. 1 slightly enlarged showing other parts removed and illustrating the jaws in separated relation.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary elevational view of a modified form of the invention with parts broken away, parts shown in section, and parts'removed.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary, central, sectional view of a part of the invention.

Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken on line 5-5 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 6 is a sectional view taken on line 6-6 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 7' is a fragmentary side elevational view of a slightly modified form of the invention.

Fig. 8 is a sectional view taken on line 8-8 of Fig. 7.

As shown in Fig. 4 the electrode holder embodies a shank having a rear portion which carries the tubular body 9, having the bore i0- into which an electric conductor may beinserted. A set screw Ii serves as a means for binding the electric conductor in the bore 10.

' This member 9 projects rearwardly from the circular head I2, projecting forwardly from which is the threaded stud l3, which is adapted to thread into the threaded bore it of the jaw retainer I5. This jaw retainer is cut away as at It and slotted as at H to provide the tongue l8 spaced apart from the body IS. The clamping jaws embody an upper jaw 20 and a lower jaw 2|, these jaws being preferably formed from elongated plate-like bodies of resilient metal. The jaws while positioned in registering relation. are'inserted at their butt ends into the slot l1 and secured in position by being clamped between the tongue 18 and the body I! by means of the screw 22.

As shown in Fig. 1 the jaws 20 and 2| are bow shaped intermediate their ends and the clamping of the butt ends together serves to effect and regulate the tension of the outer or free ends.

The upper jaw 28 is provided with an opening 23 positioned forwardly of which is an opening 24. The lower jaw 2| is provided on its inner face with a cavity or recess 25.

The spreading mechanism embodies a lever 28 having a foot 21 provided with an up-turned toe 28 and an engagement heel 29. The foot is pro- J'ected through the opening 23 so as to lie between the jaws 20 and 2| with toe 28 projecting upwardly through the opening 24 so as to extend above the upper face of the upper jaw.

Projecting through the toe 28 is a pin or screw 38 which extends laterally on opposite sides of the toe 28 so as to overlie the opposite edges of the opening 24.

The construction is such that upon downward rocking of the lever 26 the foot 21 will engage the crossbar 3|, which is that portion of the upper jaw 28 lying between the openings 23 and 24. The heel 29 will serve as a fulcrum for the lever so that as downward rocking of the lever- 28 continues, the foot 2'! will cause the jaws 28 and 2| to be spread apart at their forward ends. The pin 30 will resist rocking movement of the lever 28 upwardly beyond a predetermined distance and prevent displacement of the lever out of position. It is believed obvious that if the operator desires, he may remove the pin or screw and thus have a detachable lever.

In Fig. 3 I have illustrated a slightly modified form of the invention. In this form an upper jaw 28 and a lower jaw 2| are used. The lever 26' is provided with the foot 21' and the heel 29' with the upwardly projecting toe 28'. Projecting downwardly from the. upper jaw 20' is a pair of lugs 32. A pin 33 serves to pivotally connect the toe 28' to the lugs 32, the lever 28' being projected through the opening 23'. In this form of structure when-the lever 26' is rocked downwardly the jaws 28' and 2| will be sprung apart at their free ends. It is to be noted that the lever fulcrums partly at the heel 29 and partly on the pin 33. Forward rocking of the lever 26' beyond its normal position as shown in Fig. 8 is of course prevented when the lever is in normal position and its forward rocking, when its jaws are spread apart and a wire clamped in between, is lim-' ited. In this way, in both forms, the play of the lever, when a wire is clamped between the jaws, is reduced to a minimum so that loose moving parts and rattling is reduced to a minimum. g

In both forms it will be noted that the lever projects through an opening in the open jaw so as to extend at its forward end between the laws and that the forward end of the foot is secured through engagement means with the upper jaw against undue removal.

As shown in Fig. 3 the head I2 is provided with a passage 34 which is lined with a tube 35 of electric insulation material. Securing the handle on the head I 2 is a screw embodying the female part 38 and the male part 31. The tube 35 of insulating material insulates the screw parts 36 and 31 from contact with the metal head I2. With this type of holder the practice is for the operator toremove the retainer I5 when leaving the job and carry thejaw spreading mechanism and retainer with him allowing the handle 31', which is made of insulating maiii secured in the bore ID. This makes it possible to drag the cable with the handle attached thereto over a grounded body, such as the deck of the ship, without any danger of obtaining a flash. It may be desired to form the handle 31' from electric insulating material which may have a tendency to shrink. Should the handle 31 be formed from fiber, which is a common material to use, the handle 3'! will shrink when wet. Under such circumstances the handle may shrink into a position of such close contact with the retainer I5 that it is impossible to remove the retainer 15 from the handle 31'. To avoid any such situation I provided a liner 38 in the form of a nonshrinking tube. It is preferred to use a metal tube 38 although this is not necessary so long as the tube 38 is non-shrinking when wet and of sufiicient strength to resist the pressure of the handle 31' when it tends to shrink after being wet. This tube is secured in position by impressing small tits 39 of the tube 38 into the hand1e 31'. Formed in the liner 38, where each of the screw parts 36 and 31 project through the handle 31', is an opening 40 of adiameter larger than the outside diameter of either of the screw parts 36 and 31 so that these screw parts will not contact the liner 38. This is important particularly if the liner 38 is made of metal as the liner 38 would be in contact with the head I2, therefore alive. Experience has shown that with a non-shrinking liner in the handle 31' easy and quick removal of the retainer l5 becomes possible.

With a holder constructed in this manner a compact structure is provided, one in which the detachable retainer may be easily and quickly removed and, one in which the spreading mechanism may be secured in position against undue removal and at the same time easily and quickly arranged for removal and replacement.

In Fig. 7 and Fig. 8 I have shown a slightly different form in which the upper jaw 20" and the lower jaw 2| are in registering relation. Projecting upwardly from the inner face of the lower jaw are the spaced apart lugs 32' on which is pivotally mounted a foot 21" at its heel 28", a lever 28" projecting outwardly from this foot through the opening 23" formed in the upper jaw 20.. The upwardly turned toe 28" is adapted'to engage against the inner face of the upper jaw 20". It is believed obvious that downward rocking on the lever 26" will effect a spreading apart of the jaws 20" and 2i. Upward rocking of the lever is limited to a predetermined distance through the engagement of the foot with the inner face of the lower jaw 21".

While this form shown in Fig. 'l and Fig. 8 not the preferred form it is an illustration of a modification of the preferred form and is indicated for inventive purposes.

What I claim as new is:

1. In an electrode holder of the class described. a shank-forming portion adapted for attachment to an electric conductor; anupper jaw and a.

and spreadable apart at their forward ends for terial. to remain attached to the cable which is 76 the reception of an electrode wire to be clamped therebetween, the upper jaw having an opening formed therein; a lever projected at its forward end through said opening into a position between said upper and lower jaws and rockabie downwardly at its other end for effecting a spreading apart of said jaws at their forward ends; and means engageable with said forward end of said lever and said upper jaw for preventing removal of the forward end of said lever from between said jaws.

2. In an electrode holder of the class described, a shank-forming portion adapted for attachment to an electric conductor; an upper jaw and a lower jaw projecting in superimposed, registering relation forwardly of said shank-forming portion and spreadable apart at their forward ends for the reception of an electrode wire to be clamped therebetween, the upper jaw having an opening formed therein; a lever projected at its forward end through said opening into a position between said upper and lower jaws and rockable downwardly at its other end for effecting a spreading apart of said jaws at their forward ends, said upper jaw having a second opening forwardly of and spaced from said first named opening, a por-- tion of said forward end on said lever projecting into said second named opening; and means carried by said portion and engageable with said upper jaw for preventing removal of said forward end of said lever from between said jaws.

3. In an electrode holder of the class described,

a shank-forming portion adapted for attachment to an electric conductor; an upper jaw and a lower jaw projecting in superimposed, registering relation forwardly of said shank-forming portion and spreadable apart at their forward ends for the reception of an electrode wire to be clamped therebe-tween, the upper jaw having an opening formed therein; a lever projected at its forward end through said opening into a position between said upper and lower jaws and rockable downwardly at its rearward end; means for pivotally connecting said forward end of said lever to said upper jaw and an engagement portion on said lever rearwardly of said pivot means for engaging said lower jaw upon downward rocking of said rearward end for effecting a spreading apart of said jaws at their forward ends.

4. In an electrode holder of the class described, a shank-forming portion adapted'for attachment to an electric conductor; an upper jaw and a lower jaw projecting in superimposed, registering relation forwardly of said shank-formin portion and spreadable apart at their forward ends for the reception of an electrode wire to be clamped therebetween, the upper jaw having an opening formed therein; a lever projected at its forward end through said opening into a position between said upper and lower jaws and rockable downwardly at its rearward end; lugs projecting downwardly from the lower face of said upper jaw; means for pivotally connecting the forward end of said lever to said lugs and a portion on said lever, rearwardly of said pivot means engageable with said lower jaw for, upon downward rocking of said rearward end of said lever, spreading said jaws apart.

5. In an electrode holder of the class described, a shank-forming portion adapted for attachment to an electric conductor; an upper jaw and a lower jaw projecting in superimposed, registering relation forwardly of said shank-forming portion and spreadable apart at their forward ends for the reception of an electrode wire to be clamped therebetween, the upper jaw having an opening formed therein; a lever projected at its forward end through said opening into a position between said upper and lower jaws and rockable downwardly at its other end for effecting a spreading apart of said jaws at their forward ends, said upper jaw having a second opening positioned forwardly of and spaced from said first named opening; a portion of said forward end of said lever projecting through said second opening; and means carried by and projecting laterally from said portion beyond the sides of said second opening for engaging the upper face of said upper jaw and preventing removal of said forward end of said lever from said jaws.

6. In an electrode holder of the class described, a tubular handle; a metallic liner for lining the inner surface of a portion of said handle; a metallic shank-forming portion adapted for attachment to an electric conductor and embraced by the lined portion of said handle and contacting said liner; and means for securing said handle on said shank-forming portion.

7. In an electrode holder of the class described. a tubular handle formed from heat and electrical insulating material; a metallic tubular reinforcing liner lining a portion of said handle; a me tallic shank-forming portion adapted for attachment to an electric conductor and mounted in the lined portion of said handle and in engagement with said liner; means accessible from the exterior of said handle for securing said shank-forming portion in contacting relation with said liner; and a metallic jaw retainer detachably connected to said shank-forming portion and extending forwardly thereof.

8. In an electrode holder of the class described. a tubular handle formed from heat and electrical insulating material; a metallic tubular reinforcing liner lining a portion of said handle; a metallic shank-forming portion adapted for attachment to an electric conductor and mounted in the lined portion of said handle and in engagement with said liner; and means accessible from the exterior of said handle for securing said shank-forming portion in contacting relation with said liner.

THOMAS S. DONNELLY, JR. 

